Learn how to make fermented coconut water with this simple tutorial. Fermented coconut water is a lightly fizzy probiotic electrolyte drink that is amazing for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. It’s full of minerals and beneficial microbes perfect for the GAPS Diet.
Making fermented coconut water at home is simple, inexpensive and a great one to add to your kitchen routine to improve gut health.
What is Fermented Coconut Water?
Fermented coconut water is a refreshing probiotic drink made from coconut water that is inoculated with beneficial bacteria and yeasts from water kefir grains. During the fermentation process, the cultures in the grains eat the naturally occurring sugars found in the coconut water thus multiplying in the number count.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Very low in sugar – The fermentation process reduces the natural sugar content in coconut water making it the perfect fizzy drink alternative.
Improved nutrient profile – The fermentation process improves the existing nutrient profile of coconut water.
Inexpensive – It’s really cheap to make! Plus, a tasty was to increase your probiotic count compared with store-bought probiotic capsules.
Fermented Coconut Water Benefits
There are so many health benefits of fermented coconut water. It is a probiotic-rich beverage that is great for your gut health and is a delicious way to hydrate. Let’s take a deeper look at the benefits.
Gut Health
In our modern world stress, processed foods and sugars have an impact on the balance of beneficial and pathogenic bacteria in our guts aka the good and the bad guys, and this can lead to a leaky gut. Fermented coconut water is rich in probiotic bacteria and yeasts perfect for maintaining a healthy gut biome and curb sugar cravings. It naturally contains antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties making it one of the best candida fighters on the market.
Hydration
Consuming enough of the right fluids every day is important. Coconut water is packed full of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus, chloride, and magnesium that support many function in the body (source).
Boosts Immune Health
A large part of your immune system is located in your gut. Studies have shown that consuming probiotics on a regular basis can reduce the risk of infection and lower inflammation (source).
Lower levels of inflammation in the body means that your immune system is not constantly burdened can work more efficiently, probiotics play a central role in regulating the immune response (source).
Dairy-free
This refreshing drink is dairy-free making it suitable for those who are sensitive to dairy. Another dairy-free fermented beverage is Beet Kvass.
Fermented Coconut Water and the GAPS Diet
According to GAPS Practitioner Becky Plotner, fermented coconut water is one of the best candida fighters on the market and can be consumed from GAPS Introduction Diet Stage 1 (source).
If you are prone to skin reactions or histamine responses, introduce it very slowly. If you are new to home ferments, I suggest starting with Sauerkraut brine instead.
Ingredients
Coconut water – Fresh coconut water is best, but not everyone has access to young coconut water. Dr. Natasha, creator of the GAPS Diet, also suggests using packaged coconut water with no added ingredients from the grocery store.
Water kefir grains – Symbiotic culture of good bacteria and yeasts that feed on sugar.
Tools you may need
- Glass jar with lid
- Cheesecloth (or paper towel)
- Rubber band
- Fine mesh strainer
How to Make Fermented Coconut Water
- Ensure your water kefir grains are active.
- Combine the coconut water and water kefir grains in a clean glass jar.
- Cover the jar with the cheesecloth and secure it with rubber band.
- Leave it on the counter at room temperature for 24 hours or until it is fizzy. Time will depend on the room temperature.
- Strain the water kefir grains out by using a fine mesh strainer.
Note: You will need to rest and renutrify your water kefir grains between batches.
How to Introduce
If you have never had ferments before, you’ll want to introduce fermented coconut water slowly. Adults can start with 1/4 cup, and kids can have 1 tablespoon.
If you are not used to consuming ferments you may experience some die-off reactions as the beneficial microbes take the place of the pathogenic ones, this is normal. If the reaction is too strong reduce the amount you are drinking.
How to Serve
GAPS Intro Stage 1 – Drink it plain.
GAPS Intro Stage 2 – Drink it with some fresh lemon juice.
Full GAPS – Do a second ferment with fruits such as berries or add to smoothies.
How to Store
Fermented coconut water can be stored in the fridge in an airtight jar. It will continue to ferment but at a much slower pace, so it’s best to consume it within 2 weeks.
FAQs
Why drink fermented coconut water instead of regular water kefir?
Fermented coconut water is a very low-sugar variation of traditional water kefir making it perfect for those who want to consume a super hydrating probiotic beverage without feeding pathogenic yeasts and bacteria.
What are water kefir grains?
Water kefir grains are a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts, used to ferment sugar water at room temperature. Water kefir grains are used to ferment coconut water but the coconut does not provide an environment for the grains to thrive and multiply due to the low sugar content. Check the FAQs to see how to renutrify the grains after each batch.
How long do water kefir grains last?
When the supplied with sugar water regularly water kefir grains will last forever and they multiple like crazy. Soon you will have more than you know what to do with! Coconut water does not provide enough sugar (nutrition) for water kefir grains to reproduce so they will need to be rested in sugar water after every batch to renutrify.
Where to buy water kefir grains?
Active water kefir grains can often be found on local community pages, they are ready to use straight away. Or you can purchase dried kefir grains in health food stores and these will need to be activated. It takes a few batches for grains to fully activate and acclimatise to your environment.
How do I renutrify the water kefir grains between batches?
After making a batch of fermented coconut water with no sugar added, the grains will need to be rested in real sugar to nutrify, as the sugar content in coconut water is too low for them to thrive and multiply.
To renutrify mix one tablespoon of sugar with 1/4 cup of filtered water until dissolved, then add one tablespoon of water kefir grains. Set aside for 24 hours. The grains will to look plumper and more vibrant. If they still seem weak or sandy, then repeat the process.
How long will fermentation take?
Fermentation time depends on your room temperature. The warmer the room the faster the ferments.
More Ferment Recipes
How to Make Milk Kefir Using Kefir Grains
If you loved this recipe you’ll LOVE all the others in this category. Check out all my breakfast recipes here!
Fermented Coconut Water
Learn how to make fermented coconut water with this simple tutorial. Fermented coconut water is a lightly fizzy probiotic electrolyte drink that is amazing for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. It’s full of minerals and beneficial microbes perfect for the GAPS Diet.
Ingredients
- 500ml coconut water
Instructions
- Ensure your water kefir grains are active.
- Combine the coconut water and water kefir grains in a clean glass jar.
- Cover the jar with the cheesecloth and secure it with rubber band.
- Leave it on the counter at room temperature for 24 hours or until it is fizzy. Time will depend on the room temperature.
- Strain the water kefir grains out by using a fine mesh strainer.
Note: You will need to rest and renutrify your water kefir grains between batches.
Notes
How to Introduce
It you have never had ferments before you’ll want to introduce fermented coconut water slowly. Adults can start with 1/4 cup and kids 1 tablespoon.
How to Serve
GAPS Intro Stage 1 – Drink it plain.
GAPS Intro Stage 2 – Drink it with some fresh lemon juice in it.
Full GAPS – Do a second ferment with fruits such as berries or add to smoothies.
GAPS™ and Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ are the trademark and copyright of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride.
The information in this blog post is my personal experience and for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease; and does not consider your individual situation. If you have medical questions, please consult with a qualified medical practitioner.
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